Device for lowering coffins



(No Model.)

'W. H. JOHNSTON. DEVIGBPOR LOWBRING GOFFINS.

No. 311,075. P atentedJan. 20, 1885.

WITNESSES /Z 1 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. JOHNSTON, OF NORTH FAIRFIELD, OHIO.

DEVICE FOR LOWERIN'G COFFINS.

SPECIPICA'I QION forming part of Letters Patent No. 311,075, dated January 20, 1885.

Application filed April 5, 1884. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

7 Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. J oHNsroN, of North Fairfield, in the county of Huron and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and 5 useful Improvements in Devices for Lowerin g Coffins; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as V will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in devices for lowering coffins. Hitherto the devices for this purpose have consisted of metal rods integral or sectional straps havingblocks secured in pairs thereon, and an eye in the end of the strap for engaginga hook on the coffin, or more complicated apparatus introducing the use of a Windlass or other purchase. The rods are objectionable on account of their clumsiness and the trouble of transportation and adjusting the sections. The straps provided with blocks and an eye are also obj ectionable because of the hooks required on the coffimwhich are liable to catch in clothing or walls of the grave, and the upper end of the strap is liable to lie in the dirt or mud while the eye is being attached to the hook, or coffin lowered, while the more complicated devices, on account of their expense and transportation, do not meet with general favor.

The object of my present invention is to provide a simple, strong, durable, and inexpensive device which shall be free from the objectionable features of those heretofore constructed. WVith these ends in view my invention consists in a strong flexible cord having handrests secured at intervals thereon, provided at one end with a hook and at the other end 4 with awrist-loop.

Myinvention further consists in a metal eye through one of the hand-rests. Fig. 3 is a view of the metal loop'to form the eye, and i Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the manner in which the metal loop is attached to the wood.

A represents a flexible cord. This cord is preferably about three-eighths of an inch in diameter,and consists of hemp tightly woven or braided, thus giving it the required strength and great durability. The cord A is provided atsuitable intervals with conical shaped blocks or hand-rests B; The blocks B are provided with longitudinal perforations I), through which the cord A passes, and the said blocks are firmly secured in their respect- 6 5 ive positions on the cord A by rivets or pins E, which pass transversely through the block and cord. The blocks are secured with their smaller ends downward, to allow the hand to slide naturally and smoothly along the cord to its holding position on the block. The lower end of the cord A is provided with a stout hook, F. The hook is convenientlyprovided with an eye, f, in its shank, through which the cord A passes, and the bight thus formed in the end of the cord is secured by a metal clamp, g. The clamp 1 forms a smooth finish and secure fastening; but I do not wish to limit myself strictly to its use, as a splice or tie might answer the purpose. The upper end of the cord A is provided with a loop, H, preferably of elastic material, adapted to pass around the wrist and hold the upper end off the ground when the cord is in use.

To render the cord A operative I insert a loop, K, constructed of annealed wire in or near each corner of the coffin, leaving a projecting eye, k, as shown in Fig. 4, the ends of the loop being clinched on the inside of the board, thus securing the loop against any possibility of drawing out. The eye is slightly bent upward and is sufliciently large to receive the hook F loosely, so that the hook will disengage the eye by its own weight when the coifin reaches the bottom of the grave. The loops K may be plated to match the trimmings on the coffin, and are so small and smooth thatthey offer no obstruction.

If the coffin be of metal, the eye k may be of suitable construction to be riveted or rco screwed into the metal. Four of the cordsA form asct, one being used at each corner of the grave; but six may be used if desired; or two persons, one at each end of the grave, may each handle two of the cords.

It is evident that slight changes may be made in the form and construction of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention; hence I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In devices for lowering coffins, the combination, with a flexible cord provided with a hook and hand-rests, of an eye secured to the coffln, and adapted to receive the hook, substantially as set forth.

2. In devices for lowering cofiins, the combination, with a flexible cord provided with a hook at one end, a wrist-100p at the other end, and hand-rests at intervals on the cord,

of an eye secured to the cofiin and adapted to loosely receive the hook, substantially as set forth.

3. In devices for lowering coflins, the combination, with a flexible cord provided with a hook and hand-rests, of an eye formed by passing the ends of a wire loop through the side or end of the coffin and secured by clinching the ends of said loop, substantially as set forth.

4. A device for lowering coffins, consisting ofa flexible cord provided with a hook at one end, a wrist-loop at the other end, andbloeks embracing the cord at intervals, secured in their positions by pins, or rivets passing through the blocks and coid,and an eye formed by a wire loop, the ends of which are clinched on the inside of the coffin, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

XVILLIAM H. JOHNSTON.

WVitnesses:

HARRY Hovcr, S. J. STEVENS. 

